This post is by Jesse Galef — We always have better explanations for unknown phenomena than resorting to saying “a supernatural force did it.” Richard Feynman, as always, put it well in this quick black-and-white clip: From my knowledge of the world that I see around me, I think it is much more likely that the reports of flying saucers are the result of the known irrational characteristics of terrestrial intelligence rather than the unknown rational efforts of extra-terrestrial intelligence…. Read more
Dr. Richard Beck is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University. He has a great piece where he goes after other Christians for something he dislikes about their (his) subculture: Personal acts of piety and devotion are vital to a vibrant spiritual life and continued spiritual formation. But all too often “working on my relationship with God” has almost nothing to do with trying to become a more decent human being. The trouble with contemporary Christianity is that… Read more
The upside to an atheist bus ad or billboard is that it advertises to the masses — If a ton of people see it, odds are a handful of them will be your target audience. The thinking is that a handful of atheists might see your sign, realize they’re not alone, and perhaps even join your group. The vast majority of people who see it will ignore it. And some might complain. But good marketers know that you can get… Read more
This is a program I’ve been eagerly looking forward to ever since we began discussing it. Last year, the Secular Student Alliance and the Secular Coalition for America began talking about getting non-religious students up on Capitol Hill. It was a service the SSA wanted to offer students and it was a key reason we were eager to help form the SCA in the first place several years ago. Our thinking was: how amazing would it be to get our… Read more
Here’s another example of a Christian trying to break the rules at work and saying he’s allowed to do so because he and God are on the same side. It’s the same excuse used by evangelical teachers in public schools who feel the need to preach in the classroom. Neither person deserves to keep their job. Trevor Keezer is whining because he wore a button reading “One nation under God, indivisible” on his Home Depot work uniform. For a year,… Read more
How embarrassed do you have to be about your religious beliefs that when someone simply questions what they are, you refuse to answer? That’s what happened when Nightline’s Martin Bashir questioned Scientology spokesperson Tommy Davis about the whole Xenu thing (at the 3:40 mark): At least Davis has the good sense to not admit to believing such absurd things. Regardless of what he says on tape, he could have simply lied, said “No, those are not my beliefs,” and move… Read more
I learned something new today. Take the atheist bus campaign slogan: “There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” If you translate it into Japanese, and then back into English, and then back into Japanese, and then back into English, and then back into Japanese, and then back into English, and then back into Japanese, and then back into English, and then back into Japanese, and then back into English, and then back into Japanese, and then… Read more
I’ve said it before: Even if the billboards just said the word “ATHEISM,” religious nuts would get upset. It’s a no-win situation if atheists are trying to make peace with certain Christians. But the ads evoke outrage in some areas. The ads get media coverage. All of it helps let other atheists know they’re not alone out there, and that’s the value and beauty of all the advertising campaigns. (via Atheist Cartoons) Read more
Richard Dawkins has been hinting for a while that his next book will be aimed at a younger crowd. We finally have more details about what that book will look like. Due out in autumn 2011, What is a Rainbow, Really? will take on topics including who the first man and first woman were, why there are seasons, what the sun is, how old the world is and why there are so many animals, first answering the questions with myth… Read more
